When caring for a patient who is on a closed-chest drainage system with chest tubes,the nurse can confirm that the system is intact and working when:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the level of the water in the water-seal chamber rises and falls with the patient's respiration,the system is intact.Constant bubbles in the water-seal chamber indicate a leak in the system.The fluid in the collection container drains by gravity whether the closed-chest drainage system is intact or not.Suction is not significant with respect to whether the system is intact.

When Caring for a Patient Who Is on a Closed-Chest